Sound transmitting, recording, and reproducing mechanism



y 18, 1937-- J. B. FAIRBANKS 2,080,812

SOUND TRANSMITTING, RECORDING, AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 19:53 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTOR. I I w JERRY B. f-h/em/v/rs y 1937- I .1. B. FAIRBANKS 2,080,812

SOUND TRANSMITTING, RECORDING, AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3/6 Fiji. B5 /64 v f INVENTOR.

' 7. JEEEY5E4IEBANK$ BY v A ORNEYS y 8, 1937. J. B. FAIRBANKS 2,080,812 SOUND TRANSMITTING, RECORDING, AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 May 18, 1937.

J. B. FAIRBANKS SOUND TRANSMITTING, RECORDING, AND REPRODUCINGY MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 29, 195;

INVENTOR. J5EE Y5. F/l/EBA NKS MA TTORNEYS.

May 18, 1937. J. B. FAIRBANKS SOUND TRANSMITTING,'RECORDING, AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gov/ 7A R Patented May 18, 1937 SOUND TRANSDIITTING, RECORDING, AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM- Jerry B. Fairbanks, Los Angeles, Calif., 'assignor of thirty-seven and one-half per cent to R. A. Lindsay and twenty-five per cent to Ernest Hix, both of Los Angeles, Calif.

ApplicatiomMay 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,515 7 Claims. 101. 179-6),

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to sound transmitting, recording and reproducing mechanisms generally.

The invention is primarily intended for use in connection with telephone systems. I am sufficiently acquainted with prior art devices and systems to appreciate that it is old in the art to provide means in a telephone circuit for recording sound whereby information may-be subsequently conveyed to a person at one end of a telephone relative to the desire of. other persons to converse with him telephonically during his absence. Broadly, my invention has to do with mechanisms wherein this same general function can be satisfactorily accomplished. In the prior art devices just above referred to, no means have been provided to permit of an exchange of audible sounds and signals at the respective ends of an intercommunicating telethat my invention provides positively acting means of an automatic nature which will make known to a person at one end of the system the absence of a person at the other'end of the line and then automatically convey to said person audible information of such nature as the subscriber actually intends to impart to him, and which then permits the person at said one end vof the line to convey and record in the mecha nism at the other end thereof any message which he desires to transmit. To my knowledge, these features of the invention have never been ac-' complished heretofore, and-I wish, therefore, to

lay particular emphasis upon the use in a telef 35 phone system of certain instrumentalities that will enable these desirable functions to be performed.

It is an important object of the invention to provide, in combination with a" telephone system,

40 sound recording mechanisms whose operations may be controlled in such manner that during the absence of a person at one end of the line or during a time when it is desired that he shall not be disturbed from other duties, he can, by

accurately functioning means at his end, connect the apparatus in circuit with receiving and transmitting instruments of a telephone system whereby, in Eh: absence of such person, one desiring to teleph nically converse with him may be informed f his absence and advised that any desired message may be conveyed through the system for accurate recordatlon and subsequent reproduction thereof upon the return of said per- 5011. s: It is a further object of the invention to prophone system; and it is in' this respect broadly" vide in a telephone system sound recording means which will be positively acting and which will include respective recorders at one place in the system adapted to be connected in circuit with wound receiving and transmitting instruments of common construction; means "for informing a person who desires'to converse telephonically with another person of the latters absence; means which functions after one has been thus informed, for automatically receiving from him the message which he wishes to convey; means for effecting the recordation of the. message intended to be conveyed; means which will enable the user to readily have reproduced for him the message left in his absence; and means whereby the user may either permanently preserve the record of conversations received in his absence, or promptly effectdestruction thereof,

the provision in a system of the type herein referred to of means for successively and automatically effecting accurate recordation of all previously transmitted messages.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism wherein the recording medium may be used indefinitely without replacement.

It is a further purpose of my invention to accomplish all the foregoing objects with the use of standard telephone transmitting and receiving instruments and in such manner as to permit said instruments to be quickly connected in circuit with or disconnected from said instruments.

Inthe accompanying drawings, 7 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of my apparatus;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing, on a larger scale, portions of the various circuits and instruments employed;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing other portions of the said circuits and instrum n Figure 4 is a view in side elevation with parts in section of one of the recording mechanisms;

Figure 5 is a section taken online 5-5 of' Figure 4;

. Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Figure 5;

Figure 10 a section on line I '-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a section'on line l|-|l of Figure mechanisms and combinations thereof which mutually contribute to satisfy the objects herein recited are all designed and constructed so that the entire apparatus may be connected with any telephone instrument now in common use without requiring changes in the construction thereof and without, in fact, making any direct internal electrical or mechanical connection whatsoever with the telephone instrument or requiring that any of the parts of the instrument be disturbed in any manner whatsoever during operation of the apparatus. 7

To this end, and in carrying the invention into practice, use is accordingly. made of the telephone instruments I' and Id of conventional construction, the same adapted to be connected with the line,2 through parts of my apparatus to be described presently.

Before describing the various electrical circuits employed, I deem it desirable to refer generally to the use in the system of somewhat similar recording mechanisms 3 and 4; switch mechanisms 5 and 6; a transformer l; a rectifier 8; a filter unit 9; relay mechanisms III to 20, inclusive; automatic control mechanisms 2| and 22; switches 23 and 24;, and a source 25 of alternating current to the primary of the aforementioned transformer.

The mechanisms 3 and 4 are to a large extent very similar and, except for those changes in one which are not. found in the other, it is believed that a description of one will suflice for the other.

provided with a worm gear 33 in mesh with a large worm gear 34 on a rotary element I66, the latter'forming a part of the aforementioned automatic control mechanism 2| and to this extent the mechanism 3 is similar to said mechanism 4.

As shown, the shaft 3| of the last said mechanismhas its worm gear 33in mesh with the'worm gear 34 .of the rotary element 235 of the aforestated automatic control mechanism 22. At this-point I wish to call attention to the fact that it is intended, as will be hereinafter described, that the gear ratios of the respective elements 33 and 34 of the two mechanisms 3 and 4 shall be so calculated that the element 34 of instrument 4 will revolve very much slower than, and preferably about one-tenth as fast as, the corresponding element '34 in the mechanism 3.

Each of the reels 26 and 21 is provided with a peripheral groove 36 adapted to accommodate the wound portions of any suitable well-known material 31 capable of being magnetized, such as steel wire. This wire is threaded through the recording head 38, and the latter is mounted for vertical tilting movement and for horizontal oscillatory motion in order that no material frictional resistance will be set up as the wire is paid from one reel and wound upon the other, andin order also that the wire may be uniformly wound upon said other reel. It is to be under-' stood that the wire 31 is the sound recording medium whose office is called into play when respective actuations are set up in the system, and that sound is adapted to be electro-magnetically recorded thereon and reproduced therefrom. At this point, it should be noted that during the recording of sound upon the wire 31, the movement of'the latter is from left to right or from the reel 26 to the co-acting reel 21.- A more complete description of,the functional characteristics of the head 38 will be given,hereinafter, and it will suffice at the moment to/say that the frame 38a of the head, to which latter the body portion 38b is pivotedat 380 for vertical swinging movement, is dovetailed for accommodation in a cross head or mounting 39. The said mounting is slotted at 40 for the accommodation of a guide pin 42, the slot 40 co-acti'ng with said pin to allow for limited horizontal sliding movement of the head 33 in a direction transversely of the reel 'onto which the wire is to be laid. The pin 42 connects with a rocker arm 43. which is pivoted at 44 to the support 39 and, as illustrated, one

end of this rocker arm is formed with an elongated slot 45 which co-acts with the pin 46 of an eccentric 41, the latter receiving its motion through a worm train '48 between the shaft 39 of said eccentric and the aforestated shaft 3|.

Each of the reels 26 and 21 has a hub 50 which partly projects into a thrust bearing 5| on the axle 28, as shown to advantage in Figure 5. This bearing comprises mating elements 52 and 53 between which anti-friction bodies 54 are interposed. Fixed to the axle 28 is a collar 55 against which one end of a coil spring 56 bears, the opposite end of said spring engaging against one side of the element 52 of said thrust bearing. Secured to the shaft 28 is a female member 57 in which a portion of the hub 50 is received, and same is provided with a clutch or braking element in the form of a flat disk 58 against one face of which the inner fiat face of the wall 59 of said reel engages, the tendency of the spring 56 serving to yieldingly advance the reel against the disk 58. Within the reel is mounted a spiral spring 59a, one end of which is secured at 60 to the reel and the other to the female member 51, as shown On the shaft 28 is a disk 62 having a lateral pin 63 which projects into an arcuate slot 64 of a disk 65, the latter pinned at 66 to said shaft. The disk has secured thereto the element 61 of the worm train 29. The respective reels 26 and 21 of the two mechanisms 3 and 4 are mechanically similar with respect to the structural parts last above referred to. It follows, on reference to either of the mechanisms 3 or 4, that the slots 64 in the disks 65 are so positioned relative reels 26'and 21. mutually co-act to maintain a uniform tension on the wire 31, thus assuring an even uninterrupted movement of the wire through the co-acting-recording head 38.

It remains to be stated with respect to these mechanisms 3 and 4 that the reels 26 and 21 of the mechanism 4 are of a greater capacity at their peripheral portions than the reels 26 and 21 of the mechanism 3, whereby more wire can be handled and accommodated thereby than is intended to be accommodated by the corresponding reels of said mechanism 3. 7

Referring specially to Figure 2, the primary winding II3 of the transformer 1 is adapted to be connected with any suitable source of alternating current supply. This transformer includes secondary windings I3I and I32,the latter designed to supply alternating current to various ones of the circuits employed, the purpose of which said circuits I will explain presently. The other secondary winding I3I connects the copperoxide'rectifier 8 through the conductors I81, I88 and I89, which said rectifier'is connected with a filter unit including the choke coils I93 and I94 and condensers I96, I91 and I98 arranged in the customary manner as shown. This filter unit is employed for the purpose of transmitting the pulsating current received from the output of the rectifier 8 and for converting said current into a relatively uniform direct current, whereby to' supply the conductors I99 and 288 with a relatively uniform direct current.

The switch 5- comprises a reciprocal bar 18 having switch blades I36, 1|, 12, I01, 2I8 and I88 at spaced apart intervals, and same are adapted to respectively co-act with spaced'apart contact devices I31, 281, 13, 286, 14, 2| I, and

I8I. shown engaged with the contact devices 14 and 15 which are connected by the conductors 16 and 11 with the respective leads 18 and'19 of the telephone line 2. The-condenser 88 and buzzer 81 are connected in series and across the leads 18 and 19. The reciprocal bar 10 is provided at one end with a longitudinal series of keeper notches 82 which are adapted to co act with the reciprocal core of a solenoid 83, whereby to hold said bar in a position of selected adjustment. In the position of the bar 18 shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the telephone instrument I is connected with the conductors I88 and I89 through the aforementioned switch blades I81 and H8, at which time the telephone instrument I can be used independently of any part of my special apparatus employed, excepting, of course, the buzzer 8i.

When the bar 18 is shifted to its extreme position to the left, the switch blades I36, I81, 2")

. and I88 will engage with the contact devices I31,

286, 2 and I8I, respectively, whereupon the-instrument 3 is rendered operative primarily for recordation upon the wire 31 of the message which the party at the instrument I desires to transmit to any person who may call him in his absence.

It will be observed that the bar 18 is provided with a lug 89, adapted, when the bar is moved to its extreme position to the left, to engage against the free end of a resilient contact device 89 to thereby disengage the latter from a co-acting contact device 98. Simultaneously with this operation, the contact device 9|, which is operatively connected by the insulating bar 9i with' the device 89', is moved away from the co-acting contactdevice 92, for a purpose to appear as the description proceeds. i

' I have now described two adjustments of the switch 5, one of which is to a position at the extreme left and the other to an intermediate I In Figure 2, the blades I81 and 2I8 are and 99, which respectively co-act with-contact devices I88, I58, 2I4, H5, H6, 2I1, M8 and 2I9. This switch is shown in a position to bring the blade I5I into engagement with the contact device I58. One end of the switch is provided with a longitudinal series of keeper notches 228 adapted to co-act with the core of the solenoid 22I to lock the switch in respective positions of adjustment under conditions to appear presently. When the'switch ,6 is moved to its extreme position to the left, the blades 96, 91, and 98 engage with the respective contact devices 2I6, 2H and 2I8, and when said switch is moved to a position at the extreme right, the blades 93, 94, 95 and 99 are engaged with the contact devices I88, 2I4, 2I5 and M9. It will be noted that the contact devices 2M and 2I6 connect with the contact device 2I4a of the relay bar 348 through the conductor I33; that the blade 94 of the bar 6a connects with the contact device.94a of said bar 348 through the conductor 31l; that the contact devices 2I5 and 2H connect with the contact device 2I5a of said bar 348 through the conductor I38, and that the blade 95 connects with the contact device 95a of said bar 348 through the conductor 3I9. During either of these extreme positions of the switch, it follows that the blade I5I is disengaged from its co-acting contact device I58.

The relay I8 includes a pivoted armature I39 which co-acts with electro-magnets I34 and 84, and same functions to impart sliding movement to the bar 85 of said relay, and, as illustrated, said bar is provided with a plurality of spaced apart non-conductor lugs 86 adapted to co-act with coincident resilient contact devices I4I, I43, I45 and I41, so that, when the armature is drawn toward the electro-magnets I34 and 84, the just 'mentioned contact devices will be moved into.

engagement with co-acting contact devices I42, I44, I46 and I48, respectively. On the bar 85'is a keeper 81 adapted to co-act with a normally retracted armature 88, the latter co-acting with an electro-magnet 284so that when the latter is energized, said armature will be moved into latching engagement with saidkeeper 81.

The relay I3 has a longitudinally movable bar 222 of insulating material, the same being normally urged to theposition shown in Figure 2 J by virtue of a resilient contact device 223, the latter adapted to co-act with a contact device 224 when the bar is moved in one direction. The

bar 222 carries contact devices 225 and 226, which are normally engaged with contact devices 221 and 228, and,-as illustrated, said bar is provided with a lug 229 which rests against a contact device 238. When the electromagnet 232 is energized, the device 226 is disengaged from said device 228 and presented against a contact de- 1 vice 234; and the contact device 225, at the same time, moves away from the device 221 and is presented against the contact device 235. Also at this time the contact device 238 is acted upon by the lug 229 and advanced against the device 23I. During this movement of the bar 222 the the latter carried by said bar.

contact device 246, the latter adapted to co-actwith a contact device 24I.

The bar 239 carries contact devices 242, 243 and 244, the device-244 co-acting with contact devices I51 and 245. The

device 243 is adapted to co-act with contact devices I6I and 246, and the contact device 242 is adapted to co-act with the contact device 241. The bar 239 is adapted to be urged in an opposite direction by a co-acting electro-magnet 248 and in line with the core of the magnet the bar is provided with armature arm 249. Under certain conditions, the said bar 239 is adapted to be locked against returning to normal position by an organization including a magnet I12, a. co-acting latching armature I13 and a keeper member I14,

The automatic control mechanism 2| includes the device 256 of insulatingmateriaL'the same supported by a pivoted armature I16. Carried by the armature I16 is a latch member I11, the latter being co-operable with the cam I61 to tilt the device 256 in the direction of the magnet I15 when the disk I66 is rotated counter-clockwise. Theelectro-magnetic coil I15 is of such strength that,when energized, same will pull on the armature I16 with sufficient force to hold the armature after the latter is drawn down by the action of the cam I61 in the manner aforestated. The device 256 carries yiel'dable contact devices I54 and I64,.which normally engage the respective contact devices I53 and I65. It follows that when the cam I61 engages the device I11 during counter-clockwise rotation of the disk I66, the

yielda-ble contact devices I54 and I64 will be moved away from said contact devices I53 and I65, respectively. The cam I61 normally rests against the stop. I68 positioned adjacent to the contact device I69 so as to hold the latter separated from'the device I10, as shown in Figure 2.- Because of the arrangement described, it follows that the device I69 will yieldingly move into engagement with the contact device I16 the moment the disk I66 starts to rotate in a clockwise direction.

The operative driving connection between the disk I66 and the shaft 3| is such as to effect a clockwise movement of the disk or a recording movement from left to right of the wire 31 until cam I61 is brought against the stop 25I, at which time substantially all of the wire 31 will be paid off of the reel 26 and wound upon the reel 21. As the cam I61 approaches the stop 25I, it engages the resilient contact device 252 and forces same into engagement with the resilient contact device 253, which latter is operatively connected by the insulating material 253a to the resilient contact device 254, thus resulting in movement of the latter into engagement with the contact device. 255.

The automatic control mechanism 22 shown in Figure 9 includes a bifurcated member 256 journaled on the shaft 215, and between the side arms of which the disk 235 is interposed. Said disk is carried by said shaft, and as illustrated,

the member 256 carries a yieldable friction shoe 251 which bears against the smooth peripheral surface'of said disk. I provide a contact mem her 258 which rests against a stop 216, and same is adapted to co-act with a resilient contact device 259, the latter being operatively connected by an insulating bar- 259a to a yieldable contact device 269 so as to cause said devices 259 and 266 to move together. A resilient contact device 26I is provided with a free end 26Ia positioned to engage said member 256, the latter normally tending to move with the disk 235, and

when said disk is rotated in a clockwise direction. The member 256 thus functions to force the contact device 26I into engagement with the contact device 266 and because of the connection between said contact devices 266 and 259, the

latter will be forced against the contact device.

258, at which time all of the four last mentioned .contact devices will be simultaneously held in,

engagement in the relative order referred to, and

- further movement thereof will be obstructed by the stop 216, and the member 256 will be restrained against further clockwise movement by the contact member 26I. A cam .262 is,rigidly secured to the rim of the disk 235, and 'same is adapted to co-act with the portion 261 of a resilient contact device 266 when the cam is in the position illustrated in Figure 9. When the cam 262 is moved away fromthe contact device 263, the latter will automatically spring into en- 'gagement with the contact device 264.

A stop 265 is provided to limit the movement of resilient contact device, 266, which latter normally engages contact device 261 and is operatively connected by a bar 211 of insulating material to contact device 269, the latter adapted to co-act with the contact device 268. The contact device 269 is provided with a free end portion 269a for engagement with the cam 262 when a clockwise rotation of the disk 235 brings the cam against said contact member 269, at which time the latter will move into engagement with the contact device 268, and simultaneously therewith, the contact device 266 will move away from contact device 261 and into. engagement with the stop 265. Because of the operation of the parts just described, it manifestly follows that the cam 262 will be held against further clockwise rotation. The mechanism 22 also includes an electro-magnet 216 and a co-acting pivoted armature -21I, r

with a similar slot 28I which accommodates the movement of the cam' I61 during rotation of the disk I66.

I have now described the essential mechanical features of certain of the parts employed, and shall, therefore, proceed to describe the functional characteristics thereof in the various actuating and controlling circuits of the system. In the position of certain of the parts, it is to be noted that,-for the purpose ofclarity, thetelephone instrument is so illustrated in the system that same may be used for normal service independent of the special parts of my apparatus.

Referring especially to the first three figures of the drawings, it will be appreciated that by placing the bar 10 of the switch in the extreme position to the left, the system is rendered operative for recording of a message which a person at the instrument I intends shall be automatically transmitted to a person desiring to telerhonically communicate with him. This message to be recorded is spoken into the customary transmitter of the instrument I, and with the switch 5 adjusted to the position just mentioned, current will flow through the secondary winding I32 of the transformer 1, conductor I33, electro-magnet I34, conductor I35, switch blade I36 of said switch 5, contact I31, thence through conductor I38 and back to said secondary winding I32. This circuit carries an alternating current wihch is induced in winding I32 :from the primary winding I I3 of the transformer ment I, and when supplied as aforestated to the conductor 200 same flows through the contact device I86, contact device I85, primary winding 20I of the induction coil 202, conductor 203, contact device I41, contact device I48, electro-magnet 204, through conductor 205, contact device 206 of said switch 5, switch blade I01, conductor I08, telephone instrument I, conductor I09, switchblad 2| 0, contact 2I I, conductor 2I2, contact device I 83, contact device I84, thence to conductor I99, the latter leading to said source of direct current supply. This circuit is continuous through the telephone I and the primary winding 20I of the induction coil 202, and is used ,to energize the electro-magnet 204 to draw the and I41 and I48 in positions of closed adjustment.

justment of the contact devices I43 and I44,

contact devices I45 and I46, and contact devices I41 and I48. When the devices I43 and I44 are in the aforestated position of closed adjustment, the current flow is as follows:

From the secondary winding I32 of the trans- The last-mentioned circuit remains uninterrupted until broken in the telephone instrument or until the switch bar is moved to a position to cause the blades .I01 and 2I0 thereof to'be disengaged from the respective contact devices 206 and 2| I.

When the circuit discussed in the preceding paragraph iscomplete, and when a message is spoken into the telephone instrument I, a modulated direct current will be inductively transmitted'from the primary winding 20I of inducs-econdary winding I32. This circuit carries alis from left to right. When the disk I66 is thus rotated, the cam I61 thereof leaves the stop I68,

whereupon the spring blade I69 is released and' automatically springs into engagement with the blade I10. Current now passes through the conductor I52 which is in one side of a previously described alternating current circuit, through contact device I69, contact device I10, conductor I1I, electro-magnet I12, thence to conductor I38 which is in the other side of the previously described alternating current circuit. This energizes the electro-magnet I 12, so as to draw the latching armature I13 against the keeper arm I14 for a, purpose to be hereinafter described. Inasmuch as the electro-magnetic coil I is connected across the opposite side of said previously described alternating current circuit by the conductors I38 and I52, it follows that same will also be energized. b

7 It will be further observed that when the switch 5 is placed in the position last above mentioned, current flows from the secondary winding I32 through conductor I33, electro-magnet I18, conductor I19, switch blade I80, contact I8I, conductor I38, and back to the secondary winding I32, at which time alternating currentenergizesthe electro-magnet I18 to thereby draw the arm I82 into position to cause a closing of the contact devices I 83 and I84 and 2. corresponding'closing of the contact devices I85 and I86. When this is accomplished, direct current will be tion coil 202 to the secondary winding 282 of the same coil. This secondary winding 282 is in a circuit which is adapted to be closed when an actuation is set up in a circuit through which the current flows as followsz' From the secondary winding I32 alternating current passes through conductor I38, contact device I4I, contact device I42, conductor 284a,

-coil 283, conductor I33, thence back to the secondary winding I32. This energizes the electromagnet 283 and the latter draws-the pivoted armature 284 into position to cause the lugs 285 on the bar 286.to effect engagement of the resilient contact device 281 with the contact (16-,

- vice 288; resilient contact device 289 with contact device 290 and resilient contact device 29I with contact device 292. This causes a circuit through the secondary winding 282 of the in- .ductioncoil 202 to be completed as follows:

From the secondary winding 202, the current flows through conductor 293, secondarywinding 294 of the tone c'oil 295, contact device 225, contact device 221, conductor 296, contact device 289,'contact-device 290, conductor 291, re-

ording and reproducing coil 298, conductor 299,

contact device 292, contact device 29I, conductor 300, contact device 228, contact device 226, conductor 30I, thence back to the secondary winding 282. The secondary winding I84 'of the induction coil 202 is now connected in a complete circuit with the recording and reproducing coil 298.

During the use of the previously described cir-- ment with the contact device 301, at which time the flow of the current is as follows:'

From conductor 200, which leads from the I previously described source of alternating current, the current flows tl-rough contact devices 306 and 301, conductor 308, pre-magnetizing coil 333, conductor 309, contact device 241, contact device 242, conductor 3 I 0, contact device 305, contact device 304, thence to conductor I09, which leads to the previously described source of direct current. This circuit carries pre-magnetizing current for producing a uniform magnetic effect on the moving wire 31 to adapt same for receiving a change in magnetic properties thereof commensurate with magnetic impulses produced in coil 298 in accordance with the modulated current induced through induction coil 202.

In addition to having set forth the operation of the instrument, (Figure 4;) when recording sound thereon, I have also set forth the operation of the instrument (Figure 9) as is necessary to uniformly move the wire 31 through the recording head 38 of the last said instrument and in a direction from left to right, so as to electro-magnetically ,record sound thereon.

I shall now describe the automatic operation of certain parts of the apparatus at a time when substantially all of the wire 31 has been moved as aforementioned in said direction from left to right in the instrument, Figure 9, and all wire substantially entirely wound upon the reel 21 of the mechanism 3. It will be apparent that the disk I66 of the mechanism 3 will have rotated ductor 3I2, electro-magnet 248 of the relay mech- I anism 20, energizing the magnet 248 and thereby causing an opening of all contact devices'in said mechanism 20, which are indicated as closed in said Figure 2, and a closing of all contact devices which are shown open in the said figure. Alternating current now flows to the conductor I38, which latter is in theother side of the previously described alternating current circuit. As previously set forth, the contact devices I69 and I10 are in engagement with each other at this time and said magnet I12 is energized. This magnet then draws the armature I13 into latching engagement with the arm I14 and causes the position of the parts of the relay mechanism 20 to be maintained as last stated during this period of time. L

Current now flows from the contact I56 through contact device 245, conductor 3 I3, motor 32, conductor 3I4, contact devices 240 and I62, conductor- I63, contact devices I64 and I65, to the conductor I 38, the latter leading to the. source of alternating current supply. In consequence thereof, the motor is operated in a direction to cause the wire 31 to be unwound from the reel 21 and rewound onto the reel 26 of the mechanism 3. When the contact devices of relay mechanism 20 are closed, to thus cause a flow of current for the re-winding of the wire 31, that is, for the winding of the wire on reel 26, it should be noted that the contact devices 241 and 242 are spaced apart and, therefore, ..the circuit through the Dre-magnetizing coil 3 is always open during the re-winding operation. This insures that the as a. result of the person using the device failing to release the switch 23 duringsaid re-winding operation. However, it is intended that switch 23 be released by the user of the apparatus when the re-winding operation is to proceed.

At this time, it is desirable to have a; frequency note transmitted to the person using the telephone instrument I to audibly indicate to such person that the full capacity of the, recording medium of the mechanism 3 has been used and that the bar 10, should be shifted into position to cause the switch blades I36, I01, 2I0 and I to be disengaged from the respective contact devices I31, 206, 2 and 82. In order to cause the sounding of this frequency note, at the time stated, I have provided the aforementioned automatic control mechanism 2I which functions to close the contact devices 252 and 253 to thereby cause altemating current to how from conductor I38 through said contact devices 252 and 253, conductor 3I4, primary winding 3I5 of tone coil 295, thence to conductor I33. It has been previously described that the secondary winding 204 is at this time connected in a circuit which is continuous through the telephone and it "follows that the alternating current now flowing through the primary winding 3I5 will produce an induced effect on the current now flowing through the secondary winding 294. This causes a note of the same frequency to be sounded at the instrument I. whereupon the person using said instrument will be advised to shift' the position of the bar 10, as is required at this instant, it having been stated that the motor 32 is now being supplied with alternating current in a manner to cause parts of the mechanism 3 to rotate the disk I66 in a. counterclockwise direction. As such rotation of the disk starts, the cam I61 quickly oves away from contact device 252, whereupon the latter and contact devices 253, 254 and 255 return to their normal positions. This causes the breaking of the circuit which supplied the primary winding 3I5 of the tone transformer with alternating current and consequently causes the sounding of the tone to cease. The returning of the last mentioned contact devices to their normal positions breaks the circuit through the electro-magnet 248 of relay mechanism 20. However, for the present, the previously described co-action of the electro-magnet I 12, latching armature I13 and arm I14 prevents the relay bar 239'from returning to normal position.

It is important that the switch 5 be maintainedwith its bar 10 in the central position during the operation of re-winding the wire 31,

and this is automatically made possible ,by a,

novel arrangement of co-operating parts which will now be described. When the relay mechanism 20 is in the position last referred to, at

' which time the co-acting contact members thereof are closed for the re-winding operation, it will be, noted that contact devices 240 and MI will be closed, and the electro-magnet 3I5 energized by an alternating current which flows from conductor I33, through electro-magnet 3I5, conductor 3I6, contact devices 2M and 240, thence through conductor I38 to the source of alternating current. When thus energized, electro-magnet 3I5 draws pivoted armature 3I1 and thereby transmits motion to bar 3I8 so that the lugs 3I9 thereon will.close the contact devices 322 and 323. This compels operation of the solenoid 83 of switch mechanismv 5 by a current which flowsfrom thesecondary I32 of the transformer.

322, conductor 3, contact devices 9I and 92,.

conductor 325, solenoid 83, conductor 324, con

tact devices 320 and MI, to conductor I38, back to -,the said'secondaryl32. The action of the solenoid 83 at this time is such as to force the plunger thereof into the central one of the keeper notches of the bar I to hold the latter in the aforestated central position during said re'-wind-. ing operation. During a portion of the counterclockwise rotation of disk I86, the cam I6! coacts with latch I'll to shift device 250 to a position to open the contact devices I65 and I64 and I53 and I54, and this causes both .of the circuits through the motor to be broken. However, the force of momentum of parts of the apparatus "which are in motion carry disk I66 further in a counter-clockwise direction until the cam F61 engages the contact device I69 so as to move same into the normal position shown in Figure 2, whereupon the circuit through the-electro-magnet- H2 is opened. allows the latching armatui'e I13 to be retracted from the arm I14, to

thereby free the bar 239 and allow the parts of the relay mechanism 20 to return to their nornial positions.

At this stage in the-operation of my mechanism, the motoris stopped and all parts of the mechanism are returned to their normal positions. It is intendedthat' there now be a record in the form of a variable magnetic structure of the wire which is capable of causing a modulated current in the winding of the recording and reproducing coil 298 when the wire is moved through the recording head 38 in a direction from left to right, and that the modulated current thus produced will cause to be produced at the telephone instrument I the audible message which was previously spoken insaid instrument. In case the user of the apparatus desires to listen to the message, the switch bar I0 is moved to the extreme left position. When this is done, the parts occupy the positions previously described, except for the fact that the pre-magnetizing circuit is now inoperative; and except also for the fact that the modulated current is induced through theinduction coil 202 in an opposite direction to the movement when recording. As the wire travels from the reel 26 to thereel '21, the message'previously spoken into, the telephone instrument I will be rendered audible at said instrument I, and following the message the tone will be sounded just as before. Upon hearing the tone, and if the user of the apparatus is satisfied with the message thus recorded, the bar I0 is adjusted to the central position, at

which time the parts will be automatically restored to their normal or starting positions.

In case the message just listened tois not satisfactory, or-there exists some reason to erase the whole or any portion thereof, this can be accomplished by putting the switch 'bar' I0 to the extreme left position and holding.the contact vmembers of switch mechanism 24 closed during the time that the portion of the record which it is desired to erase passes through the recording head 38. The contact devices of said switch mechanism 24 may be held in their positions ofclosed adjustment by manually moving bar 326 so as to cause its lugs 321 to urge the resilient contact device 328 into engagement with contact device 329 and to .urgethe resilient contact device 330 into engagement with contact device 33I, whereupon direct current flows from the previously described source of direct current through conductor I99,

' and 33 I, conductor 200 to the source of direct current. The direct current flowing through the winding of erasing coil 3I I produces a strong'uniform magneticfild and the magnetic structure of the portion of the wire which passes through this field is made uniform by the. action of this field, thereby removing the record of the message on that portion of the wire being acted upon. Following this erasing operation, and when the wire has been entirely unwound from the reel 28, the tone will be sounded as before, at which time the user of the instrument I releases the switch mechanism 24 and moves the switch bar 'IO of the switch mechanism 5 to return the .latter to its central position of adjustment. All parts of the apparatus will now automatically return to their normal or starting positions.

I shall now describe the operation of my apparatus when the same is connected with the tele phone line 2. Let us assume that thercis now a record of a previously recorded message on the wire 31 of mechanism 3. My special apparatus isrendered automatically operative with respect to the telephone line 2 by placing switch bar I0 of tion of the condenser 335 and for this reason the electro-magnet 336 does not become energized by justthe normal directcurrent of the telephone line.

When a person at the instrument Ia endeavors to communicate with someone at the telephone instrument I, an alternating current intended to produce the ringing signal is sent through the line 2 and flows through the same parts of my apparatus as does the direct current just mentioned.

The condenser 335 permits the flow of this alternating current and the electro-magnet 336 is energized by said alternating current, whereupon the pivoted armature 331 is drawn by the electromagnet 336'so as to press resilient contact device 338 into engagement with'contact device 339.

- This causes alternating current to flow from conductor I33 through electro-magnet 84-, conductor 340, contact devices 338 and 339 to conductor I38.

As previouslydescribed, when coil 84 is thus ener- Y gized, relay mechanism I0 operates to close all contacts therein. It follows'from'the preceding description of the manner in-which certain parts of,my apparatus operate when the contactsin relay mechanism III are closed that the record of the message previously recorded onthe wire 31 will now be reproduced in the recording and reproducing 'coil 298, conducted by parts of my apparatus to induction coil 202, transmitted by the latter and conducted by parts of "my apparatus to the line 2. The previously recorded, message will at this time be automatically switched over this line 2 to the telephone instrument In of the person at the last named'instrument.

The contact devices of the relay mechanism I0 are maintained closed during the automatic transmission of the message to the person at said instrument Ia. In order to accomplish this, I employ a dash pct 34 I, which is operatively connected to the armature II so as to cause the latter to hold contact device 338. in engagement with contact device 339 for a period of about one second after the'fiowing of alternating current for the nging signal. This is done because the direct current which i's-normallyon the "telephone line is cut-oil when the alternating current is used for the ringing signal, and it is desired to use the normal direct current of the telephone line to energize electro-magnet 204. The holding of con-' tact device 338 in engagement with contact device 339 for a short interval of time enables the. direct current of the telephone line to flow 5 through parts of the apparatus as will be under stood from the description of therecording operation previously set forth, and in so doing this direct current energizes electro-magnet 204 and draws the latching armature 88 so as to hold the 20. latter in engagement with the arm 81, whereupon all the contact devices of relay mechanism I0 will be maintained closed.

It is important to note that we are now considering the operation of the apparatus at a time '25 when the switch mechanism 5 is in a position to close the respective contact devices 88 and 80 and 9| and 92. It is intended that the message to be automatically transmitted to the caller will be of a nature to advise him of the fact that upon his hearing the tone any message which he desires to transmitwill be conveyed through the system for recordation at the telephone instrument I. Following the automatic transmission of such message, the cam I61 will strike contact device 252 {Figure 4) and, as previously described, a circuit will be closedfor a short interval of time while the motor is being reversed, which circuit carries an alternatingcurrent for use in producing the frequency note or tone. Part of this same alternating current which is eaused to flow at this time will be utilized to energize electromagnet 232, thecurrent flowing from conductor I33 through electro-magnet 232, conductor 342, contact devices 89and 90, thence ,to conductor 3I4. The closing-of the contact devices 252 and 253 is for such a short interval that electro-magnet 232 is only energized for a corresponding in- I terval. However, it is desired to have electromagnet 232 energized for a longer period at time and for this reason it will be noted that when same is energized the operation of the relay mechanism I3, as previously described, will cause all contact devices in said relay mechanism which are shown closed in Figure '2 to be immediately opened and all other co-acting contact devices of said relay to be closed and the relay mecha-' nism placed in a latched condition. This latching of the relay is effected by alternating current flowing from conductor I33 through contact devices I 45 and I46, conductor 243, electromagnet 238, contact devices'223 and 224, conductor 344, contact devices 261 and 266 to con-' ductor I38, thus energizing the electro-magnet 238 so as to draw the armature 231 into latching engagement with the arm 236., .This latched condition of the parts remains effective until con-, tact is broken between contact devices I45 and I46 or between contact devices 266 and 261 as will be described later. -It will be observed thatlalternating current is now flowing from conductor I 33 through contact devices 230 and 23I,- conductof 345, electromagnet 346 to conductor I38, thus energizing the electro-magnet 346 to draw armature 34I 01" direct current.

adapted to produce a magnetic field for mag- 40 tion. devices 230 and 23I and a breaking of the cir- 01' the relay bar 348 and thereby move the latter so that the lugs 349 thereof will function to bring all of the contact devices of said relay to relatively closed positions. Alternating current will now flow from conductor I33.through contact devices 350 and 35I, conductor 352, motor 32 oi. mechanism 4, conductor 353, contact devices 354 and 355,, thence to conductor I38. The motor 32 will now operate in a direction to cause the wire 31 of mechanism 4 to be paid off reel 26 10 and wound on reel 21. At this time the current which is induced in the secondary winding 282 01' the induction coil 202 will flow through conductor 293, secondary winding 294 of tone coil 295, contact devices 225 and 235, conductor 358, 15

, contact devices 351 and 358, conductor 359, secing a counterclockwise rotation of the'disk 235 and as a result oi the pressure exerted by the member 258, contact will be made between con- 30 tact devices 28I and 260 and-between contact devices 258 and 258. The cloiing oi the latter contact devices causes a direc current to flow from the previously described source of direct current through conductor I99, contact devices 35 288 and 281, conductor 368, pre-magnetizing coil 4I5, conductor 310, contact devices 259 and 258, conductor 200 of the previously described source Pre-magnetizing coil H5 is netizing wire 31 uniformly as it travels from left to right. This pre-magnetizing operation in mechanism 4 is for-a similar purpose as described with respect to the operation of mechanism 3 1 have now described the circuits that are 45 closed when parts of my apparatus are operated for automatically recording any message spoken. into the transmitter 01 the, telephone instrument Ia. It will now be observed that when the person calling hangs up his receiver the circuit in the 50 telephone line 2 will be broken and consequently the electro-magnet 204, which is in this circuit,

will cease to be energized, whereupon the latching armature 88 will automatically return to normal position, so as to release arm 81, at which 55 time relay mechanism ID will return to normal position and cause all contact devices therein to be opened. The opening of contact devices I45 and I46 in relay mechanism I0 will cause the opening of the circuit to electro-magnet 238, 50 whereupon latching armature 231 will spring out of engagement with arm 235 to thereby enable relay mechanism I3 to return to a normal posi- This causes an, opening of the contact cult to electro -magnet 346, whereupon relay mechanism I6 will return to its normal position.

Returning of relay mechanism I6 to said normal positioncauses the breaking of contact devices 350-and 35I and the devices 355 and 354 and the 70 breaking of the circuit to the motor, so as to stop the latter.

Now, let us consider that the user of the telephone instrument I has returned and wishes to hear the message which was recorded in his abthe switch mechanism to the position to the extreme right, which is the position for which said switch is set when it is desired to have the ,wire 31 re-wound on reel and disk 235 rotated counter-clockwise until cam 262 has moved into engagement with contact device 283. When the switch bar 5a is placed in this extreme position to the right, alternating current will flow from conductor I33, contact device 2l4 of switch mechanism 6, switch blade 94, conductor 3'", motor 32 in a manner to cause re-winding of the wire 31 on reel 25, thence through conductor 312; contact devices 293 and 2545 through conductor 313, thence through electro-magnet 398 of relay mechanism I8, conductor 3| 9, switch blade 95 of switch mechanism 8, contact device 2I5 and to the conductor I38. This alternating current by flowing through electro-magnet 398 energizes the same to draw pivoted armature 314 and in turn impart motion to the bar 315, so that the lugs 318 will cause 'the resilient contact device 311 to be brought into engagement with the contact device-318 and the re- 381, so as to cause the lugs 392 thereof to move resilient contact devices 388 and 399 into en'- gagement with contact devices 389 and 39L respectively. The engaging of these last men-- tioned contact devicescauses alternating current to flow from conductor I 33 through contact devices 389 and 388, conductor 393, solenoid 22I, conductor 394, contact devices 395 and 395, conductor 391, contact devices 399 and 39I' to conductor I38. The flow of alternating current as just described throughsolenoid 22l causesthe. plunger of the latter to engage the keeper notch 229 at the left of .the bar 9a. and thereby hold said bar against movement while alternating current is flowing through the motor 32 and during the operation of rewinding the wire 31 on the reel 25 of the mechanism 4.

It should be understood that the switch bar 19 of switch mechanism 5 is placed in its normal position and locked therein during the rewinding operation of said mechanism 4. In order that.

' this. locking may be automatically accomplished, I provide the bar 9a of the mechanism 5 with a switch blade 93 adapted to co-act with the contact device I99. This enables alternating current to flow from conductor I33 through electro-magnet 499 of relay mechanism d1 througlfi conductor 49I, through contact device I99, through switch blade 93 to conductor I38. Th s alternating current by flowing through electromagnet 499 causes the-latter to draw pivoted armature 492, to thereby cause a closing of all co-acting contact devices inrelay mechanism I1, whereupon alternating current flows through a previously described circuit to operate solenoid 325 and thus lock the switch mechanism 5 in said normal position.

' A's. substantially all of the wire '31 becomes woundupon reel 28-, the cam 292 on disk 235 en:- gages with contact devices 283 to move the latter out of engagement with contact device 284 whereupon the circuit through the electro-magnet 398 is broken, which enables the relay mechanism I8 to return to the normal position and causes the circuit through the electro-magnet .382 to be broken. This also causes an automatic opening I of the contact devices in' relay mechanism I5, whereby the circuit through thesolenoid 22I will be broken. The plunger of the solenoid 22I will upon the contact devices in switch mechanism I1 are opened and the circuit to solenoid 83 correspondingly opened so as to free the bar 19 from the core of said solenoid.

During the previously described counter-clockwise rotation of disk 235, the member 255 will move with said disk to an extent equal to the full counter-clockwise rotation of said disk.

' I shall now explain the operation which is set up in the-mechanism 4 during the reproduction of sound from the record wire-31 of said instrument. In order that the sound may be reproduced at the receiver of the instrument I, the switch bar 19 of the switch mechanism 5 is adjusted to its extreme position at the left and the switch bar 8a of switch mechanism 9 moved to the extreme position to the left. Alternating current will flow from conductor I33 through contact device MB of switch mechanism 8, switch blade 98, con ductor 493, electro-magnet 494, conductor 352, motor 32, conductor 353, switch blade 91- of switch mechanism 5, contact device 2" to conductor I39. As previously described, the flowing of alternating current through the motor 32 of mechanisnil causes said mechanism 4 to move the wire 31 through the recording and reproducing coil 353 in a direction from left toright. This same current that drives the motor 32. of mechanism 4 also energizes electro-magnet 494 to draw its armature, whereby to operate the relay mechanism l8 in a manner similarly described withrespect to the actionof the coil 398. This causes the contact devices in relay mechanism I8 to anism I5; and theswitch bar 8a of the switch mechanism 8 will be locked by the action of the solenoid MI in the extreme position to the left.

The wire 31 will now pass through the record-- ing and reproducing coil 353 and the modulated magnetic structure thereof produced by any previously recorded message will cause a modulated current to flow through the winding of said coil 393 and through previously described parts of my apparatus, including the secondary winding 282 of the induction coil 292. This fluctuating curinduction coil 2-92 to produce pulsating eifect-oii the current flowing to the telephone instrument where the previously recorded message will be press the contact device 25I into engagement with the contact device 269, at which time and as prerent will be inductively transmitted through the ried by thefldisk 235 so as to cause said; member to viously described the contact devices 259 and 258 Will be brought into engagement. This will cause a frequency note or tone to be sounded at the telephone instrument indicating the end of the record. This is due to the fact that alternating current is now flowing from the conductor I33 through the primary winding 3'" of the tone transformer 36l, through conductor 312, switch blade 98 of switch mechanism 6, thence through conductor 496, electro-magnet 461, conductor 408, contact devices 269 and 26! to conductor-138.

' It will be observed that this causes a flow of curcircuit producing the same is broken upon the return of said bar 6a to said normal position.

It is important to note, at this point in the description, that the parts of the automatic control mechanism 22 are in the same relative posi-- tions that they. were at the time when the person making the first call which was recorded at the mechanism 4 hung up the receiver of the instrument l a. Let us consider that the switch bar 10 of the switch mechanism 5 is placed to the extreme position to the right and that switch bar 6a of switch 6 is placed to the extreme position to the left. This willrender my apparatus opera tive to automatically transmit the message by the use of mechanism 3 over the telephone line 2 and to automatically enable additional messages to be recorded by the mechanism 4 as same are taken into line 2 from said instrument la. One long message or a number of short messages may be recorded on the wire 31 of mechanism 4, depending upon the capacity oi. the reels 26 and 21, and when all of the'wire is used, the cam 262 will have moved to a position where the contact device 269 will engage the contact device 268.

At the same' time, the arm 21'! will have been moved to disengage the contact device 266 from the contact device 261. The breaking of the contact between the devices 266 and 261 breaks the circuit through electro-magnet 238 of the relay mechanism l3, whereupon the latching armature 331 is yieldingly disengaged from the arm 236, so as to allow the relay mechanism l3 to automatically return to its normal position. This com devices 269 and 268 produces an effect as though the party calling had hung up his receiver. This accomplished by producing a short-circuit across the line through which the telephone direct current is flowing, at which time current flows from conductor 205 at one side of the circuit, carrying the direct current of telephone line, through contact device 269, contact device 268, thence to conductor 2| 2, which latter is in the other side of the circuit carrying said direct current.

closed positions.

.in Figures 2 and 3.

' The apparatus can only be rendered operative for further use by placing the switch bar 6a. of

4 to pass, through the full cycle of the rewinding operation as previously described.

switch mechanism 6 in the position for the re- 'winding operation and then allowing mechanism At any time that it is desired to erase a message which has been previously recorded on the wire 31-01 mechanism 4, the user of the telephone I places the switch mechanisms 6 and 5, respec-' 'tively, in positions for the rewinding operation and at the same time manually depresses bar 326 of switch mechanism 24, to thereby close the co acting contact devices 328-329 and 339-33 l As previously described during the rewinding operation electro-magnet 384 is energized with alternating current. When ,so energized this electromagnet draws pivoted armature 4! I to thus impart motion to the latch 2 through the link 3, thereby causing the latch 4i 2 to engage with the keeper arm 4 of the bar 326. The switch mechanism 24 is now automatically locked and the contacts 328-429 and 33933l secured in This causes a circuit" to be closed during the rewinding operation and supplies direct current to the erasing coil 368'so as to produce a magnetic effect on the wire 31in a similar manner to that explained with.respect to the use of the erasing coil 3 in mechanism 3.

,It has been previously described that the conductors carrying this direct current for the erasing operation are 334 and 332. The direct current will now flow from conductor 334 through contact device 2l9, switch blade 99 of switch mechanism 6, conductor 4| 6, erasing coil 369 to conductor 332. This direct current will energize electro-magnet 4|! which is co ected between conductors 4| 6 and 332. Whe thus energized,

' electro-magnet 4H draws the pivoted armature 850 that the contact device 9 will engage with the contact device 429. Alternating current now flows from one of the energized alternating current leads to the motor 32, through contact devices 9 and 420, through conductor 42!, electro-magnet 210, thence Uackto the other one of the energized leads to said motor. When this electro-magnet 219 is energized as described, the reciprocal dog 212 engages with keeper notch2i3 in member 256, whereupon member 256 is held in a fixed position while disk 35 rotates to a starting position. The rewinding and erasing operation continues until cam 262strikes contact device 263, whereupon the circuit to the motor is opened so as to stop the motor. The circuit through the electro-magnet 384 of switch mechanism 24 is opened and the contact devices in the switch mechanism 24 likewise opened. The circuit to solenoid 22l is opened and the switch bar 60. of switch mechanism 6 is returned to a central position and the respective parts of the apparatus are now restored to the conditions shown From the above description, it will be appreciated that I have provided positively acting means whereby when the respective mechanisms rand 4 are operatively' connected in circuit with the telephone instrument l2, the said mechanisms will be successively thrown into operation automatically in order that sound previously recorded at the instrument 3 will be first rendered clearly audible at said instrument la, following which sound may be taken intdthe telephone line from the transmitter 01' the instrument la and accurately recorded by the mechanism 4 for subsequent reproduction at the receiver of the instrument I.

respective mechanisms 3 and 4 can be selectively.

I have also provided means whereby the controlled by the user of the instrument I in order that sound may be recorded at the mechanism 3 during use of the transmitter of said instrument I, then reproduced at the receiver of said instrument, and finally reproduced at the The said mechanisms 3 and 4 are further designed and constructed so that a predetermined actuation of one thereof will eifect conditions in the circuits employed whereby to automatically place the other said instrument in operation for a predetermined time, after which the various instrumentalities employed in said circuits will be returned to their former positions preparatory to I the next operation thereof. I have further provided means for effectively reversing the direction of rotation of the reels of e h of said mechanisms 3 and 4 so that the wire c n be wound from any one reel of a particular mechanism to the,

other reel of the same mechanism, for any one of the purposes herein referred to, including the operation necessary to effect either a partial or.

' pairs of transmitting and receiving instruments,

sound recording mechanism including a pair of co-operable rotary reels, a driving motor for said reels, a circuit in which the'motor is connected, a flexible metallic recording medium co-operable with the reels and adapted to be paid from. one to the other thereof, an electrically controlled recording and reproducing head co-operable with the medium, switch means in the motor circuit for placing the recorder in circuit with a transmitting instrument at one place in the line of the telephone circuit and for operating the motor to move the wire to efiect, recordation of sound thereon as same is formed at said transmitting instrument and the medium drawn through said head, the switch means serving when adjusted to another position to operatively place the recorder in circuit with one of the receiving instruments -at another place in said line and for acting upon the motor circuit to cause the motor to operate for a predetermined period of time so that asv the medium is moved in the efiective presence .of the recording and reproducing head, sound will be reproduced at said receiving instrument, and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of the reels after each sound reproducing operation thereof.

2. A telephone circuit including co-operable pairs of transmitting and receiving instruments, sound recording'mechanism including a pair of oo-operable rotary reels, a'dri'ving motorlfor said reels, a circuit inwhich the motor is connected, a flexible metallic recording medium co-operable with the reels and adapted to be paid from one to the other thereof, an electrically controlled recording and reproducing head co-operable with said medium, switch means in the motor circuit for placing the recorder in circuit with atransmitting instrument at one" place in the line of the telephone circuit and for operating the motorto. move the said medium twgable recordation I 1 1 of sound upon the latter as sanie is formed at said transmitting instrument and the medium ing when adjusted toanother position to operatively place the recorder in the line of said circuit and to connect same ,with one of the receiving instruments at another place in said line and for operating the motor for a predetermined period of time so that as the medium is moved in the effective presence of the recording and re- "drawn through said head, the switch means serv- I producing head, sound will be reproduced at said receiving instrument, means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of the reels after each sound reproducing operation thereof,

and means for electro-magnetically acting upon said recording medium to erase therefrom any part or all of the sound recordation contained record medium of magnetizable strip metal;

means for mounting the record medium for move;- mentlinearly through said head; a motor; means controliedby the motor for moving the record medium; a circuit including a source of current supply; a circuit controller for including the motor in the circuit 'to move the record medium through said head; said controller including means operable during movement of the record medium to place said mechanism in circuit with the transmitting instrument at the called substation, or for placing said mechanism in circuit with the receiving instrument at the calling substation during movement of the record medium,

whereby to enable sound from the called sub-' station to be recorded by said mechanism, or be reproduced thereby'for reception at the calling substation; and means by which the direction of movement of the record medium can be reversed to restore the latter to an original position for reproduction of a. record on said medium.

4. In a telephone message receiving and transmitting apparatus, a telephone circuit including two inter-communicating subscriber substations each having a transmitting instrument and a receiving instrument; sound recording and reproducing mechanism having a'magnet head and a record medium of magnetizable strip metal; means for mounting the record medium for movement linearly through said head; a motor; means controlled by the motorfor moving the record medium; a circuit including a source of current supply; a circuit controller for including the motor in the circuit to move the'record mediunithrough said head; said controller including means operabie during movement of the record medium to place said mechanism in cirin circuit with the receiving instrument at the calling substation during movement of the record' medium,. whereby to enable sound from the called substation to be recorded by said mechanism, or be reproduced thereby for reception at the calling substation; means by which the direction of movement of the record medium can be reversed to restore the latter to an original position for-reproduction of a record on said medium; and means for electro-magnetically erasing from saidmedium any sound record therefrom. t

part or all of a 5. In a telephone message receiving and transmitting apparatus, a telephone circuit including two inter-communicating subscriber substations each having a transmitting instrument and a receiving instrument; sound recording and reproducing mechanism, one for each substation and each having a magnethead and a record medium composed of magnetizable strip metal; motors by which the record mediums of the respective mechanisms can be moved through the respective magnet heads; means for connecting one of said mechanisms with the receiving instrument at the calling substation and for supplying current to the respective motor to move the record medium of the mechanism through the magnet head thereof; means for connecting the other of said mechanisms with the transmitter at the calling substation and for supplying current to the other motor to move the other record medium through its magnet head; and electro-magnetically controlled means at the called substation for erasing from either or both record mediums any part or all of a sound record therefrom.

6. In a telephone message receiving and transmitting apparatus, a telephone circuit including two inter-communicating subscriber substations each having a transmitting instrument and a receiving instrument; sound recording and reproducing mechanism one for eachsubstation and each having a magnet head and a record medium composed of magnetizable strip metal; motors by which the record mediums of the respective mechanisms can be moved through the respective magnet heads; means for connecting one of said mechanisms with the receiving instrument at the calling substation and for supplying current to the respective motor to move the record medium of the mechanism through the magnet'head thereof; means for connecting the other of said its magnet head; means for connecting either one of said mechanisms with the receiving instrument at the called substation; and means for connecting the first mentioned one of 'said mechanisms with the transmitting instrument at the called substation.

7. In a telephone message receiving and transmitting apparatus, a telephone circuit including two inter-communicating subscriber substations each having a transmitting instrument and a receiving instrument; sound recording and reproducing mechanism one for each substation and each having a magnet head and a record medium composed of magnetizable strip metal; motors by which the record mediums of the respective mechanisms can be moved through the respective magnet heads; means for connecting one of said mechanisms with the receiving instrument at the calling substation and for supplying current to the respective motor to move the record medium of the mechanism through the magnet head thereof; means for connecting the other of said mechanisms with the transmitter at the calling substation and for supplying current to the pther motor to move the other record medium through its magnet head; means for con'necting either one of said mechanisms with the receiving instrument at the called substation; means for connecting the first mentioned one of said mechanisms with the transmitting instrument at the called substation; and electro-magnetically controlled means at the called substation for erasing from either or both record mediums any part or all of sound records therefrom.

JERRY B. FAIRBANKS. 

